Search smh:

Search in:

Detective in Pistorius case faces charges

The lead investigator in the case against Olympian Oscar Pistorius faces attempted murder charges himself, South African police say.

Police Brigadier Neville Malila said that detective Hilton Botha is scheduled to appear in court in May on seven counts of attempted murder.

He said Botha and two other police officers fired shots while trying to stop a mini-van in an incident in October 2011.

The dramatic twist comes as Pistorius arrived at court for the third day of his bail hearing after being charged last week with shooting dead his model girlfriend.

Advertisement

On Wednesday Botha was laughed at in court for claiming the world-famous Paralympian could go on the run.

Pistorius, who faces a charge of premeditated murder, has admitted shooting Reeva Steenkamp, 29, but claims he did so thinking she was a burglar or burglars, who were in the bathroom.

Botha was forced to admit that the prosecution had no evidence challenging the double-amputee Olympian's claim that he killed his girlfriend accidentally, as well as to a number of police blunders in the investigation.

Pistorius said he opened fire in the dark because he was too scared to turn a light on.

Realising his mistake, he broke the door down with a cricket bat and carried her downstairs where she died, he said.

A decision on whether he will be granted bail could be made on Thursday after the defence and prosecution make their submissions.